Coordinate measurement machines with removable accessories

Abstract

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided. The AACMM includes a base and a arm portion having an opposed first end and second end. The arm portion includes a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. An electronic circuit is provided that receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer. A probe member is disposed is coupled to the first end. A noncontact three-dimensional measuring device is coupled to the probe member, the device having an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and is configured to determine a distance to an object based at least in part on the propagation time of the emitted and reflected light beams.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 006,507 filed Jan. 14, 2011, and claims the benefit of provisional application number 61 / 296,555 filed Jan. 20, 2010, provisional application number 61 / 355,279 filed Jun. 16, 2010, and provisional application number 61 / 351,347 filed on Jun. 4, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]The present disclosure relates to a coordinate measuring machine, and more particularly to a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine having a connector on a probe member of the coordinate measuring machine that allows for the coupling of accessory devices which determine distance based in part on the propagation time of the emitted and reflected light beams.[0003]Portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machines (AACMMs) have found widespread use in the manufacturing or production of parts where ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object in space. The AACMM has a base and a manually positionable arm portion with connected arm segments that have position transducers to produce position signals. The position signals are received by an electronic circuit and a noncontact three-dimensional measuring device is attached to the arm portion. The noncontact three-dimensional measuring device has a light source, an optical receiver, and a mirror to reflect light beams onto the object and determine the distance to the object based on the speed of light in air. The processor is coupled to the electronic circuit to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of a point on the object based on the position signals and the measured distance. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a portable and efficient tool for accurately measuring the three-dimensional coordinates of objects in space.

Problems solved by technology

Portable AACMMs represent a vast improvement over known stationary or fixed, cost-intensive and relatively difficult to use measurement installations, particularly in the amount of time it takes to perform dimensional measurements of relatively complex parts.

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